The Philadelphia Phillies enter the series with a commanding lead in the National League East with a record of 69-49. They are 6.5 games ahead of the Atlanta Braves and Florida Marlins. Everything seems to be falling in place for the Phil’s as their big bats are heating up, and their pitching has vastly improved since the arrival of Cliff Lee. The Mets, on the other hand, are 14.5 games out with a record of 56-65. The Mets have been plagued with injuries all season and are all but out of the playoff race. Or are they? That may be determined after this series.

                14.5 games cannot be made up in a four game series. However, a sweep could bring the Mets within 10.5 games. 10.5 games is still a large deficit to overcome but not impossible. The Phillies have come back late in the past two seasons to win the Eastern Division Title. The comeback has to start somewhere. Perhaps a comeback win with a walk-off hit like the Phillies did to the Mets in a game in 2007 that changed the whole complexion of the playoff race that year. Perhaps a big series win could also change the race. One series can change both teams’ momentums depending on the outcome.  

                If the Mets were to sweep the Phillies in this four game series, it would do more then cut their Division lead down four games. It could completely change the Phillies’ mindset for the rest of the season. The two teams will also meet for another four game series in September. That series will be played in Philadelphia. That’s eight games down the stretch that could go either way. The Phillies lead the season series 6-4 right now, but eight games can change that. Both teams also have tough schedules coming up. Those schedules include teams going for Division or Wild Card berths. Both teams also play the lowly Washington Nationals, a team with no chance of making the playoffs. They have been playing better as of late and play tough down the stretch and would love to be a spoiler team to build some team confidence and respect.  

                You may think to yourself, what are the Mets playing for? Yes, they are 14.5 games out and a long shot to come back. Yes, they have suffered some injuries this year and lost key players such as shortstop Jose Reyes, first baseman Carlos Delgado and third baseman David Wright who may not return this season. So what’s left? Revenge. The Phillies have won the last two Division Championships by overcoming and defeating the Mets. The Mets would love to knock the Phillies down in the division, even if they are not the ones to win it. Ask any Mets fan. If the Mets aren’t the ones to win the Eastern Division, then they want it to be anyone besides Philadelphia.

                Philadelphia cannot go into this series overconfident. This series will not change the standings once it is over. No matter the outcome, the Phillies will still be in first place Monday night. That lead can change for the better or the worse. It is up to them to keep their hot streak of power hitting and solid starting pitching going strong during this series and down the stretch. The Phillies will start Cole Hamels tonight. Hamels has not pitched like an ace all year, posting a 7-7 record and 4.69 ERA. The Mets will counter with Mike Pelfrey who has an 8-8 record with a 4.75 ERA. The first win is crucial. Hamels needs to get on track to help carry the Phil’s down the stretch.

                Perhaps the most interesting matchup of this series will take place Sunday when Pedro Martinez returns to New York, this time as an opponent, for the first time since signing with the Phillies late this season. Pedro is still trying to show everyone that the Phillies made the right decision to sign him this season. His last start was interrupted by a rain delay and Pedro only pitched three innings. The Phillies will also have rookie standout J.A. Happ pitching Saturday, and last year’s A.L. Cy Young winner Cliff Lee is slated to pitch on Monday. Lee has been an innings eater since coming to the Phillies at the trade deadline, with two complete games in four starts, all of which have been quality starts.

                The Phillies will miss Johan Santana in this series. Santana has been the Mets best pitcher. He is 13-9 this season with a 3.13 ERA and 146 strikeouts. The Mets will miss Joe Blanton, who has had decent success against the Mets in his career. In four games, he is 2-0 with a 1.59 ERA and 16 strikeouts.

                So here it is. Tonight starts the four game series everyone was geared up for earlier this year. Now, it seems less important. But one thing is sure, this series is more important than the numbers show. This series can be a make or break for the Eastern Division race. The Phillies will be in first place once the series is over, but will they be able to maintain first place in the long run after this series. We will know more once this series is under way tonight.

                Jim Clancy is a lifelong baseball fan, following the Philadelphia Phillies since he can remember. Clancy played baseball all his life, earning four varsity letters as an infielder, catcher and pitcher. Clancy is now a full time Firefighter/EMT and continues to follow baseball on all levels. He is the writer of JC’s weekly pitch and can be contacted at jclancy@javbaseball.com.